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National Drought Monitoring System for Drought Early Warning Using Hydrologic and Ecologic Observations from NASA Satellite Data

Investigators: S. V. Nghiem (JPL, PI), J. P. Verdin (USGS, Lead Co-I), D. A. Wilhite (National Drought Mitigation Center or NDMC), R. Dole (NOAA Physical Science Division), D. LeComte (NOAA Climate Prediction Center), G. R. Brakenridge (Dartmouth College), E. G. Njoku (JPL)

Abstract The purpose of this project is to assess the potential for AMSR-E, QuickSCAT/SeaWinds Scatterometer (QSCAT), and MODIS to improve the performance of multi-agency (led by NOAA) US Drought Monitor (USDM) for support of the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) DST for drought monitoring and early warning in support of critical water management issues. The overarching objective of this proposal is to assimilate hydrologic and ecologic observations from NASA Earth satellite sensors, including the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer - Earth Observing System (AMSR-E), the QuikSCAT/SeaWinds Scatterometer (QSCAT), and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), into a national drought monitoring system, specifically the United States Drought Monitor (USDM), an existing national decision support tool used for drought monitoring and drought early warning. We propose a multi-institution collaboration to transition products and research results derived from NASA products into the USDM. NASA satellite products to be evaluated and incorporated include soil moisture, precipitation water on land surface, and vegetation state. These products have the potential to significantly enhance three of the most important indices used in USDM. Moreover, improvements resulting from inclusion of NASA satellite observations, along with an expanded network of observations, will be critical to improving drought and water supply forecasts.

NASA Products

Terra - MODIS, Aqua - MODIS, AMSR-E, QuikSCAT

Project Partners

USGS

Decision Support Tools

The Drought Monitor provides a weekly overview of where in the United States drought is emerging, lingering, subsiding or forecast. The Monitor is produced jointly by the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The three-way partnership is responding to the need for accurate, centralized drought information by developing a map that summarizes information from numerous drought indices and indicators on a single, easy-to-read color map known as the Drought Monitor. To create the map, the partnership blends current information from numerous sources, including the National Weather Service, National Climatic Data Center, Regional Climate Centers, USDA's Joint Agricultural Weather Facility, USDA's National Water and Climate Center, Department of Interior's U.S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Reclamation, as well as many other sources. The map uses a new classification system to show drought intensity and type, similar to the schemes currently in use for hurricanes and tornadoes. The map combines key indices of rainfall and drought to produce the final drought intensity rating. Since drought often affects various activities differently, the map indicates whether drought is affecting agriculture, fire danger, or water supplies. The latest state-of-the-art forecast tools are being used to indicate whether drought will strengthen or weaken significantly over the next two weeks.

The USDA also operates several DSSs for water management in the US. One DSS used by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is a water supply forecasting (WSF) tool. WSF currently uses ground-based observations to monitor snow cover and snow water equivalent. NASA data from MODIS, AMSR, and LIS will be evaluated and tested. Potentially useful NASA data products are MODIS/AVHRR snow cover and AMSR snow water equivalent. Another DSS used by USDA is SCAN/NIDIS (National Integrated Drougth Information System). This system uses SCAN (Soil Climate Analysis Network) point-specific measurements of soil moisture to monitor drought conditions. NASA satellite data such as MODIS (land cover) and AMSR (soil moisture) and LIS modeling data could potentially improve spatial accuracy and representation of soil moisture.

Reports

• Integrated System Solution (ISS) chart
• Project Report April 2009 (doc file 62 KB)

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Date Last Modified: 08/11/09

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